They have come from completely different struggle, but in sharing their stories and experiences, Zavier and Stewart have learnt so much from each other.

Now the pair has the tools and confidence to take their stories where needed, each hoping to make a difference and spark hope for someone else who might feel alone in their dark place.

They are among a small group of graduates from Ballarat Community Health’s Voice for Change pilot program, empowering volunteers who have experienced social and health issues in skills for public speaking.

Zavier, aged 23, developed complex body image issues from a young age that continued as a transgender person with the stigma of being in a minority group.

Zavier wanted to share with teenagers who might be struggling with body image and with an older audience in a bid to break the stigma queer people faced.

“If I’d had someone telling me it’s okay to be different, it would have meant a lot,” Zavier said. “It’s been really interesting to find out stories from very, very different people, who have had their own stuff to deal with but this group hasn’t been about individuals, it’s about supporting each other.”

Stewart said until meeting Zavier, he had no idea what the struggles of young person could be like today.

Until about six months ago, Stewart had felt stuck in his shell at home with a bottle of wine while nutting out sodoku puzzles in The Courier.

The shell was dark. Stewart was at his rock bottom, heavily drinking, with issues of anxiety, depression and feeling a mental breakdown.

His turning point came in remembering what it was like to be a strapping, young tradesman, when he was 27 years old and had never touched a drink. So, Stewart made the call to a support network that linked him up with Ballarat Community Health’s alcohol counsellors.

“I believe there’s a lot of people out there in the community, like myself, who don’t really know what to do or who to contact for help,” Stewart said. "Hopefully my story can show you can find all you need is a phone call away.”

BCH Voices for Change project worker Carlene Matthews said the program would return later in the year to meet strong demand from a diverse range of people wanting to share their stories.

Voices for Change ran for seven week every Monday with eight volunteers in the pilot program graduating in a special ceremony this week.

Volunteers have each been matched with a professional mentor for the next year.

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